Rectifier for electric currents.



Patented Mar. |`2 F. M. GILBERT & G. K. WHEELER.

RECT|FIER FDR ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

(Application led Dec. 17, 1898.)

(lo Model.)

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'Untoten STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN M. GILBERT, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESO'lA, AND GEORGE K. WHEELER, OFTOPEKA, KANSAS, ASSIGNORS TO TI'IE ELECTRIC AXLE LIGHT da POWER COMPANY,OF NE YORK, N. Y.

RECTIFIER FOR ELECTRIC CURRENTS..

SPEGIFICATOII forming part of Letters Patent No. 669,940, dated March12, 1901.

Application tiled December 1'7, 1898. Serial No. 699,573. trio modela Toall 'Lu/tom t may cmi/cern:

Be it known that we, FRANKLIN M. GILBERT, residing at Si'. Paul, in thecounty ot' Ramsey and State of Minnesota, and GEORGE K. WHEELER,residing at Topeka, in the county ol' Shawnee and State ot' Kansas,citizens of the United States, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Rectitiers for Electric Currents, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to that class of rectiiiers which are used inconnection with a system for distributing electric current and which isknown as automatic rectifiers for electric current.

The object o the invention is to provide a simple, economical, andefficient rectifier for electric current; and the invention consistsprincipally in the combination of a solenoid provided with a winding ator near each end, a core extending through the solenoid, and contactsadapted to be opened and closed by the movements of the core.

The invention consists, further, in the combination of a solenoidprovided with a winding at or near each end, a core extending` throughthe solenoid, contacts arranged in pairs at or near eaclrend of thesolenoid and adapted to be connected and disconnected by the movementsof the core, and means for normally holding the core out of engagementwith the contacts when the solenoid is denergized.

The invention consists, tinally, in the features, combinations, anddetails of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

The accompanying drawing represents in diagrammatic form our inventionas applied to a system for distributing and rectifying electric current.

This invention is intended to be adapted for use in connection withsystems for generating and distributing electric current in which adynamo is arranged to be rotated in either direction. In this art it iswell known that when the `generator, in the shape of a dynamo, isrevolving in one direction with a constant current and when used inconnection with secondary batteries if it be revolved in anotherdirection the current will enter the batteries and destroy the same, orcurrent is likely to flow from the batteries to reverse the dynamo andtend to run it as a motor or destroy the machine unless promptly changedand rectified so that it will how in one direction only.

In constructing our improvement we provide a generator l in the shape ofa dynamo and which is arranged to be rotated in either direction.

In order to provide for the tlow of current in one direction only to thepoint of use and to the secondary batteries 2, we provide a polarizedrelay 3, which has three spools el, 5, and 6, the outside spools ofwhich are connected by means of the wires 7 and S with the battery andby means of the wire 7 with each other, so that they are in a practicalsense permanent magnets. The third or center spool is located betweenthese spools and connected with the dynamo-terminals, as hereinafter setforth, so that when currentflows in one direction or the other thecentral spool is energized and in connection with one or the other ofthe outside spools attracts the armature 9, which is pivoted at 9 andheld midway between two contacts l0 and l1 by means of the spring l2, soas to close the circuit on the one side or the other of such inagnet andpermit current to iow from the generator to the switch-solenoid 13 or toone side thereof, so that its core lllis drawn in the one direction orthe other to close the double-pole switches l5 and 16 on the one side orI7 and 1S on the other side, all of which will more fully hereinafterappear, and maintain allow of current to the batteries and main line inone direction only.

Suppose the secondary batteries to be energizing the outside spools ofthe polarized relay and the generator started, so that it builds up andby means of the shunt formed by the wire I9, which leads from the mainwire 2O to the central spool of the polarized relay, so as to energizeit positively, draws its armature over against contact l1. Oui-rentwould then flow through the shunt-wire 2l to the winding 22 of thesolenoid and energizing such solenoid would draw its core over, so as toclose the double-pole switch l5 and IOO 16 and connect their contacts inpairs. Current would then low from the generator through wires 23, 24E,and 25 to the contact 2G, switch 15, contact 27, and wire 2S out to themain 29. After performing its work it would return through the main ISOto contact 31, switch 16, contact 32, and wires 33, 34:, and 2O back tothe generator. rlhe shunt-- circuit is completed by current [lowing fromthe coil 22 through wires 85 and 36 to the batteries.

To use the current for charging the secondary batteries so that it willreceive current in one direction only and at all times when thegenerator is being operated, current Flows from the main 29 -throughwires 37 and 3G to battery 2 and from the battery through wires 3S and23S) to the main 30.

Supposing the generator to have ceased operating in the direction aboveindicated and from any cause whatsoever to be rotated in the oppositedirection, potential builds up so that current flows through wires'23and 39a to the central spool 6 of the polarized relay to energize it inthe opposite direction. The magnetism of its armature is thereforereversed and it is attracted toward solenoid 5 and in consequence makescontact with terminal 10. Current will then tlow through wire 40 to theopposite winding 4] of the switch-solenoid and from such winding willcomplete the shuntcircuit through wires 35 and 36 back to the battery.This action energizes the solenoid, so that the core is moved to closethe double-pole switch 17 and 18 and connect their contacts in pairs.The main circuit is then closed, so that current will flow from thegenerator through wires 20, 3e, and 42 to contact 43, through switch 17,contact/stt, and out through the main line 2S). After passing' throughthe external circuit it flows back through the main 30, contact /l-,switch 1S, contact etti, and wires 4:7, 24, and 23 back to thegenerator.

The current is taken ott as before for charging the secondary batteriesfrom the main 29 through wires 37 and 36 to the battery and from thebatteries through wires 3S and 39 to the main 30, though it will beunderstood, of course, that this surplus energy may be used foroperating lights or other electric apparatus.

It will be seen from the foregoing that current furnished the main lineand batteries [lows in one direction only.

An examination of the drawing will show that the core ol the solenoid isheld normally between and outof engagement with both sets of contacts bymeans ofthe springs 41S and t9, so that the work to be performed by themagnetic action of the solenoid will be minimized and to keep them outand prevent building of dynamo-fields in improper directions.

While we have described our invent ion with more or less minuteness asregards details of construction and arrangement, we do not dcsire to belimited thereto unduly or any more than is pointed out in the claims. Onthe contrary, we contemplate all proper changes in construction andarrangement, the omission of immaterial elements, and the substitution`of equivalents, as circumstances may suggest or necessity renderexpedient.

1. lnasystcm of electrical distribution, the combination with a dynamo,a storage battery and a consuniption-circnit, of multiiile terminals forsaid constimption-circuit, a relay having one ol its circuitspermanently energized from said storage battery, and a double solenoidcircuit controller electrically controlled from said relay normallyengaged with one set of said terminals ot' said consumption-circuit,substantially as described.

2. rllhe com bination with a dynamo, storage battery and aconsumption-circnit,.of a current-rectifier consisting ot' a doublesolenoid, a core for said solenoid movable in axial and oppositedirections by magnetic action, two sets of contacts mounted on andcarried by said core, two sets ot' terminals connected to said dynamoand said consumption-cireuit in proximity and in the path ol said twosets ot' contacts, a relay electrically connected with the dynamo, thestorage battery and said double solenoid, and au oscillatory armaturefor said relay for engaging some of the electrical connections ot' saiddouble solenoid, substantially as described.

FRANKLN M. GlL-Bltllt'l. GEORGE K. l'VlllQitlLltllt.

lVitnesses to the signature of ltraultlin M. Gilbert:

ALEX. R. SPEEL, Cnas. CoNnADIs. Vtlitnesses to the signature ol`Gcorgel. Wheeler:

GEO. C. F. Rossum, J. B. Sms.

